MEMOIR OF THE LATE DR THOMAS CHARLES HOPE. 433 
or commencing ulceration of the cornea. The daily use of a weak solution of 
nitrate of silver gradually removed the disease ; but, after some months, it recurred 
in a less violent degree, and again yielded to the same remedy. 
In 1838, on completing the fiftieth year of his career as a Professor of 
Chemistry, Dr Horr was invited to a public dinner by a numerous body of his 
former pupils. The meeting was attended by many philosophers from a distance, 
as well as by a great number of the inhabitants of Edinburgh. It was on this 
gratifying occasion that he stated, among other causes of thankfulness, that he 
never had been for a single day, either as a student or as a teacher, detained from 
the duties of his class. 
Dr Hore had continued his lectures in the University until the conclusion of 
the winter session in 18438. It was observed, that his voice was feeble, and 
although his experiments were, as usual, neatly performed and successful, that 
he had lost something of his wonted energy. Increasing debility induced him, in 
the autumn of that year, however, to resign his Professorship, rather unexpectedly, 
a short time before the commencement of the session of 1843-44; so that the 
Patrons had not sufficient time to deliberate on the choice of a successor in this 
important Chair. In the mean time, it was very necessary for the interest of the 
University, that a course of chemistry should be there delivered as usual. I was 
then in England; but, at the earnest request of the Senatus Academicus and the 
Patrons, after some hesitation, I undertook the duty, and taught the chemical 
class during the session of 1843-44. I know that Dr Hope also was gratified by 
my undertaking the task. He not only freely gave me the use of his manuscript 
lectures, which were fairly and fully written out, and of his whole apparatus, 
but relinquished, in my favour, that portion of the emoluments of the class which 
had been secured to him as an annual retiring allowance, by the terms of his 
resignation. 
It is but justice to Dr Hops to state, that I found his lectures far more nearly 
written up to the advanced state of chemistry at that period, than I had been led 
to expect ; and although it was necessary to make various alterations and additions, 
especially in the disquisitions on organic chemistry, these alterations and additions 
were less extensive than I had anticipated. Whether he had employed the interval 
between his last course and mine in improving his manuscript, I cannot tell; but 
the fact I have mentioned ought to be recorded. During that winter I had much 
intercourse with Dr Horr. He was pleased to express a strong interest in my 
exertions, and said, that he had frequently enquired from others how I carried 
on the duties of the chemical class. 
In the end of 1843 and beginning of 1844, he seemed rather more vigorous 
than in the preceding autumn; but as the spring advanced, his strength began very 
visibly to fail, and he spoke of his gradual decay with firmness and resignation. 
